Boys High School Basketball

La Salle Prep has not lost two consecutive games under coach Jared Curtiss, and Tuesday night against North Marion the Falcons had no intention of ending that streak.

After losing to Gladstone 45-43 on a last second buzzer-beater, La Salle Prep (16-3, 6-1 Tri-Valley Conference) needed to make a statement. The Falcons jumped on North Marion (12-9, 4-3), third place in the conference, and were never threatened on their way to a 62-52 win in Milwaukie.

The streak survived.

“In our four years here, we haven’t lost two games in a row,” Curtiss said. “That’s a streak we take pride in. Four years, that’s a good streak for us. It shows a lot of mettle from the kids.”

If fans were nervous of the streak being in jeopardy, La Salle Prep alleviated those nerves early.

In the first quarter the Falcons had runs of 6, 11 and 8 points to seize control of the game. After one, La Salle led 25-6. A big part of the early success came from junior guard Valois Gashongore, who deflected numerous passes and even fueled his own 4-0 run early in the contest.

“It’s all about defense,” said Gashongore, who finished with 7 points. “(Curtiss) says we have to get a stop, and then we can score.”

The defensive-minded swing player missed three weeks of the regular season visiting a sick grandmother in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He returned to play for La Salle against Elmira Jan. 14. Admittedly, his conditioning isn’t quite where he wants it.

“I’m in there for about five minutes of defense, and then I need a sub,” Gashongore said.

Peak physical condition or not, the Falcons proved it didn’t matter against North Marion. Although the Huskies put together a run in the fourth quarter, North Marion never threatened La Salle outside of the first few minutes of the game.

Keeston Smith led the Falcons with 14 points, and Reece Wible chipped in 11.

North Marion’s Kerry Cook finished with 18 points to lead all scorers.